American decorations : a list of awards of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished-Service Cross and the Distinguished-Service Medal awarded under authority of the Congress of the United States

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SUPPLEMENT IV

DECORATIONS

UNITED STATES ARMY

-1862-1926-

War Department

Office of The Adjutant General

Washington

1940

SUPPLEMENT IV

AMERICAN DECORATIONS

A List of Awards of the

Congressional Medal of Honor

the

Distinguished ^Service Cross

the

Distinguished' Service Medal

the

Soldier's Medal

and the

Distinguished" Flying Cross

AWARDED UNDER AUTHORITY OF THE CONGRESS
OF THE UNITED STATES

JULY 1, 1939 -JUNE 30, 1940

Compiled in the Office of The Adjutant General of the Army
and published by order of the Secretary of War

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1940

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents. Washington, D. C.

Price 5 cents

m "

US

Su^-fi^' '^

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Explanatory notes iv

Congressional Medal of Honor, award of 1

Distinguished-Service Cross:

Award of . 1

Issued in lieu of the certificate of merit and Distinguished-Service Medal 1

Distinguished-Service Medal, aAvard of 1

Soldier's Medal, awards of 2

Distinguished-Flying Cross, awards of 6

Changes pertaining to aw ards 7

III

EXPLANATORY NOTES

The numl^er following name is the Army serial number.

R — Residence at entry into service.

B— Place of birth.

(*\ Indicates nosthumous award. , , ,

The grade h,Ll> instance is that held at time of act or service fo,- ,vhich the decorat.on

""' Errors'or omissions should be inunediately reported to The Adjutant General of the
Army by those concerned.

AWARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR

[Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy]

♦Stockham, Fred W

In Bois-de-Belleau,

June 13-14, 1918.
R— New York, N. Y.
B— Detroit, Mich.

France,

Gunnery sergeant, 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, U. S. Marine
Corps.

During an intense enemy bombardment with high explosive and gas shells
which wounded or killed many members of the company, Sergeant Stockham,
upon noticing that the gas mask of a wounded comrade was shot away, with-
out hesitation, removed his own gas mask and insisted upon giving it to the
wounded man, well knowing that the effects of the gas would be fatal to him-
self. Despite the fact that he was without protection of a gas mask, he con-
tinued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacua-
tion of the wounded in an area saturated with gas and swept by heavy artillery
Are, until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas, dying as a result thereof a
few days later. His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many
of his wounded comrades and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacri-
fice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him.

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE CROSS

[Awarded for extraordinary heroism in action under the provisions of the acts of Congress approved July 9, 1918, and

May 26, 1928]

Hall, Thomas U. (2,206,242)

Near Kleithoek, Belgium,

31, 1918.
R— Santa Monica, Calif.
B — New Orleans, La.

Owens, Ellis, Jr. (1,112,537)

Near Mezy, France, July 15,
R — Slatington, Pa.
B— Slatington, Pa.

Oct.

Private, first class. Company B, 364th Infantry, 91st Division.

When the attack of his battalion was held up by heavy fire from an enemy
machine gun nest. Private First Class Hall led a detail of two other enlisted
men for 200 yards across an open field swept by the enemy fire, to a position
on the flank within 50 yards of the machine gun nest, where, although slightly
wounded, with utter disregard of his personal safety, he stood up in the face of
heavy fire from both flanks and, firing as he ran, charged the position forcing
the surrender of 13 of the enemy therein, thus silencing their two machine
guns. After removing valuable documents from the body of a fallen enemy
officer, Private First Class Hall forced his prisoners to take up their machine
guns and accompany him to his own lines through an intense enemy fire by
which one of the prisoners was wounded.

Sergeant, 3d Trench Mortar Battery, 3d Division.

When an advanced position of his battery was penetrated by the enemy in
greatly superior numbers. Sergeant Owens, with utter disregard of his personal
safety, voluntarily securing a motor truck, drove it to the battery position
through an exposed area heavily swept by enemy artillery and machine gun
fire, and. although he himself was severely injured, succeeded in rescuing and
removing to safety a wounded ofPcer and several wounded en'isted men.

DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE CROSS ISSUED IN LIEU OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
MERIT AND DISTINGUISHED- SERVICE MEDAL

[Distinguished-Service Cross issued in lieu of the certificate of merit and the Distinguished-Service Medal under the
provisions of the act of Congress approved March 5, 1934]

Vandervert, Claude R.
R— Malvern. Iowa.
B — Chariton, Iowa.

Sergeant, Company K, 7th Infantry, U. S. Army. For distinguished conduct,
September 28, 1914, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in risking his life in rescuing a man
who was in danger of drowning.

The above-named individual was is.sued the Distinguished-Service Medal replacement under the provisions of the
act of Congress approved Julv 9, 1918, subsequent to 1926, and his citation was published in "Supplement I, American
Decorations, U. S. Army, 1862-1926."

AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED-SERVICE MEDAL

[Awarded for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services, in a position of great responsibility, under the provi-
sions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918]

Gasser, Lorenzo D

R— Tiffin, Ohio.

B — Likens, Ohio.

For award of Distinguished -Serv-
ice Medal see p. 706, "American
Decorations, U. S. Army, 1862-
1926."

Brigadier General, U. S. Army.

Oak-Leaf cluster.

A bronze oak-leaf for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services m a
position of great responsibility during a grave emergency.

By his leadership and executive ability while Acting Deputy Chief of Staff ol
the Army of the United States, Brigadier General Gasser has made an im-
portant contribution to the National Defense. Denied by force of circum-
stances the increased rank appropriate to his high position, the vigor and eflS-
ciency with ^\ Inch l;e has carried out the exacting duties of his office afford a
fine example of the highest soldierly qualities.

S'UPPLEMENT IV — AMERICAN DECORATIONS, 1939-1940

AWARDS OF THE SOLDIER'S MEDAL

[Awarded for acts of heroism performed subsequent to July 2, 1926, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, under
. the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 2, 1926]

Anderson, James W., Jr__
R— Kansas City, Mo.
B— St. Louis, Mo.

Brice, Charles S., Jr

R— Washington, D. C.
B — Fort Monroe, Va.

BuLLARD, Ethan, C. (6,488,772).
R — Kansas City, Mo.
B— Elgin, 111.

Chandler, William L. (6,658,078).
R— Plainfield, Ind.
B — Mooresville, Ind.

Dixon, Bruce (6,968,632).
R— Turkey, N. C.
B— Turkev, N. C.

KvERS, William B. (6,946,143)
R— Elk, Pa.
B— Pittsburgh, Pa.

Second lieutenant, Air Reserve, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing two oflQcers from a burning airplane at
Wright Field, Ohio, on April 11, 1939. When an experimental airplane
undergoing an acceptance test suddenly went out of control and crashed in
a small tree-studded field, it was almost completely demolished and immedi-
ately caught fire. Lieutenant Anderson who had been riding in the rear gun
turret of the ship was able to extricate himself from the wreckage, but the pilot
and another ofEcer passenger, trapped in the cockpit and unable to free them-
selves, were in imminent danger of being burned to death. Seeing the peril
of the two imprisoned officers and despite the fact that it was obvious that
the fire would reach the gasoline tanks of the ship at any moment, Lieutenant
Anderson, with disregard of his personal safety, ran back to the ship, tore
the covering from the cockpit, and pulled the two trapped officers out of the
ship to safety, just before the gasoline tanks exploded creating a conflagration
from which it would have been impossible for them to have escaped. The
heroism displayed by Lieutenant Anderson on this occasion reflects great
credit upon himself and the military service.
Cadet, Company G, 2nd Class U. S. Corps of Cadets.

For heroism displayed in attempting to rescue a comrade from drowning in the
Hudson River at West Point, New York, at about 3:0i) p. in., May 28, 1939.
When the canoe in which they were riding was capsized in mid-river by a
sudden squall. Cadet Brice and his companion, another cadet, were thrown
into the deep water. While Cadet Brice was righting the canoe, his companion
started to swim to shore for aid, but became exhausted after swimming about
150 yards and called for help. Leaving the comparative safety of the now
righted canoe. Cadet Brice, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immedi-
ately swam to the aid of his exhausted companion, and fighting his way through
the rough waves, high wind, and driving rain succeeded, with great difficulty,
in reaching the drowning man. Supporting the now unconscious man.
Cadet Brice attempted to swim with him to shore but became so exhausted
that he, himself, was on the point of drowning when two other cadets came
to his assistance and aided him in getting the body of his companion to shore.
The heroism displayed by Cadet Brice on this occasion reflects great credit
upon himself and the military service.
Corporal, Air Corps, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in extricating an officer from an overturned and burning
airplane on August 13, 1939, near I>ead, .South Dakota. In a crash landing in
which tlie airplane overturned and burst into flames, the officer pilot rendered
unconscious and pinned in the cockpit, was in danger of being burned to death.
With complete disregard of his personal safety. Corporal Ballard, a pa.ssenger
in the airplane, who had been throvvn clear of the wreckage by the impact of
the crash, despite the fact that he himself was semidazed and severely cut and
bruised, crept beneath the wrecked and burning airplane, unfastened the
safety belt of the unconscious [lilot and dragged him clear of the wreckage,
thereby probably saving his life. The heroism displayed by Corpor.il Ballard
on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.
Private, first class, Ser\ice Company, 11th Infantry, U. S. Army.
For heroism displayed during a fire at Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama, at
12:15 a. m., January 17, 1940. On hearing screams fur help from a noncom-
missioned officer struggling to ascape from a burning tent, Private First Class
Chandler, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immediately ran to his
aid. Reaching the flaming tent just as the dazed iioncomiiiiFsioned officer,
overcome by the flames, fell back into the fire, Pri\ate First Class ('handler
made his way among the burning ropes and canvas. luiUed the semiconscious
man out of the blazing mass, threw him to the ground and fell upon him, thus
extinguisliiiig the flames in (he stricken man's clothing. Although tlie non-
eomniissiciiieil officer clied later from his burns, the heroic action of Private
First Class ('handler in rescuing him alive from the burning tent is character-
istic of that splendid Matidard upon which the traditions of our Military
Establishinciit are founded and reflects great credit upon himself and the
military service.
Private, Ilcadcjuarters Comimny, Pacific Sector, Fort Amador, Canal Zone.
For heroism ilisplayed in rescuing a boy from drowning in l\Iatasnillo River,
Paitillo Point. Republic of Panama, on February 22, 1940. Seeing a lioy al)uut
eight years old being swi'pl rajiidly lo st a liy the swill current of a deep river
into which he had fallen. Private tH.riia. with comiiU^ti' disregarti of his per-
sonal safety, iilunged into the stream and went to his assistance. Reaching
the boy as he sank unconscious lieneath the waves. Private Dixon dove into
the river, dragged the drowning child to the surface and, fighting against the
strong current, swam with him to shore where he afiininistered artificial
respiration, thereby saving his life. Tlie heroism disiilayed by Private Dixon
on this occasi(jn reflects great credit upon himself and the military .service.
Private, Battery H, .Wth Coast .\rtillery, C. ,s. Army.

For heroism displayed In rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Pearl
Harbor, near Luke Ki(-ld, Oaliii, Territory of Hawaii, at about 2:15 p. m.,
July 'i'l 1!'39. Seeing an enlisted man, who could not swim, struggling in the
deep water of Pearl Harbor and in imminent danger of being drowned, after
he had been thrown into the sea by the capsizing of the canoe in which he had
been ri<ling, I'rivate Kvers. with utter disregard of his personal safety, innne-
diately went to his assistance. Diving from a high, rocky ledge "into the
muddy, unfamiliar, and coral-studded water. Private Kre'rs swam to the
drowning and semiconscious man, pulled him to the surface, and towed him
against a strong outgoing tide for more than 50 yards to shore and safety,
thereby saving his life. The heroism disiilayed by Private Evers on this
occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

SOLMER'S MEDAL

Foster, Donald A. C<i,920.fi66) .
R— Cedar Bow, Tex.
B— Memphis, Tenn.

Garrett, John B. (6,338,743).
R— Manchester, N. C.
B — Saniiersville, Ga.

Qauthier, Victor

R~Pawtucket, R. I.
B — New Bedfoni, Mass.

Genzy, Walter C. (6,144,964)_
R— Wcljster, Mass.
B — Webster, Mass.

Guest, Stanley J. (6,282,603).
R— Dayton, Tex.
B — Comanche, Okla.

Hendricks, George W

R- -.South Jacksonville, Fla.
B— South Jacksonville. Fla.

Private, first olass, Detachment, U. S. Army Mine Planter "William M.
Graham".

For heroism displayed in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Limon
Bay, Republic of Panama, at 11:40 p. m., July 1, 1939. When an enlisted
man fell overboard from an army vessel as the ship was steaming about a mile
from land across a deep, shark-infested tropical bay, Private First Class
Foster, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immediately dove over-
board and went to his assistance. Despite the darkness of the night and the
danger of being struck by the propellers of the vessel. Private First Class
Foster managed to reach the struggling man an(l support hiuj above the sur-
face of the water until, the ship's searchlight having picked up his position,
the vessel was brought about and the crew assiste<l him in getting the drown-
ing man aboard, thereby saving his life. The immediate response to the
emergency without thought of the danger to his own life displayed by Private
First Class Foster on this occasion reflects the highest traditions of the United
States Army.

Staff sergeant, Ileadquarters and Headrjuarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 03d
Field Artillery, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed on the night ot September 17, 1939, at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. Staff Sergeant Garrett, a member of the Military Police and Rang-
er Detachment, upon being notified that a murder had been committed im-
mediately went to the scene of the Crime and with utter disregard of his per-
sonal safet.v, and well knowing that the murderer was armed, proceeded to
apprehend and arrest him. Due to the darkness and fog. it was extremely
difficult to locate the suspected person, and with Staff Sergeant Garrett's
body silhouetted by the lights in the house to his rear, the murderer, without
warning opened fire on him. Staff Sergeant Garrett, flashing a light on the
murderer, cooly and fearlessly returned his fire until the murderer dropped
to the ground wounded, whereupon Staff Sergeant Garrett disarmed him and
placed him in arrest. Tlie heroism displayed by Staff Sergeant Garrett
on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the militarv service.

Private, Battery D, 103d Field Artillery, Rhode Islaml National Guard.

For heroism displayed in saving an enlisted man from lirowning at Municipal
Beach, Lake Champlain, Plaftsburg, New York, August 15, 1939. While
swinmiing about 100 yards from shore, a comrade was suddenly seized with
cramps, called for help, sank below the surface, and was in grave danger of
drowning. Responding to his cry for help. Private Gauthier, with utter dis-
regard of his own safety, immediately swam to his rescue and succeeded in
bringing him safely to shore, thereby saving his life.

Private, first class, Headquarters and Military Police Company, Hawaiian
Division, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in attempting to rescue a man from drowning in Wahiawa
Reservoir, Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, at 11:30 p. m., November 1,
1939. When a prisoner, in an effort to escape capture, jumped into the reser-
voir. Private First Class Genzj' with complete disregard of his personal safety,
despite the total darkness dove, fully clothed, into the deeji water through
boats, rafts, submerged fish lines, and other impedimenta, and swam to his
assistance. Although greatly hampered by his clinging garments. Private
First Class Gcmt/ dove repeatedly to a depth of more than 20 feet but was
unable to reach the drowning man, and after momentarily leaving the scene
to report the incident, he again reentered the water and continued to dive for
the body until the search was officially abandoned. The courage and initia-
tive displayed by Private First Class Gemy on this occasion reflect great
credit upon himself and the military service.

Private, first class, Headquarters Battery, 69th Coast Artillery, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning at Galveston,
Texas, on February 16, 19.39. When the gasoline aboard the U. S. Army Boat
J-30 exploded, Private First Class Guest and another enlisted man were
hurled from the boat into the waters of Galveston Bay. With utter disregard
of his jjersonal safely. Private First Class Guest, although himself dazed and
burned, iiimiediately dove to theassistanceof the other enlisted man who had
been rendered unconscious by the explosion and had sunk in water about 8
feet deep. Pulling the helpless and unconscious man to the surface. Private
First Class Guest supported him until help arrived, thereby saving his life.
The heroism disiilayed by Private First Class Guest on this occasion reflects
great credit upon himself and the military service.

First sergeant. Battery A, 26.5th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense), Florida
National Guard.

For heroism displayed in the rescue of a number of enlisted men from a burning
motortruck at I^ania, Florida, on July 23, 1938. When a government truck
collided with a loaded civilian gasoline truck and was saturated with gaso-
line, it immediately burst into flames, trapiung inside the seven enlisted
men who had been riding therein and who had been rendered unconscious by
the impact of the collision. On observing the plight of the helpless men in
the wrecked truck. First Sergeant Hendricks, with utter disregard of his
personal safety, promptly forced his way into the blazing vehicle despite the
imminent danger of being trapped therein himself, and, with the assistance
of a comrade, removed the seven unconscious men to safety, thereby saving
the lives of all but one, the driver, who died as a result of the collision. The
heroism displayed by First Sergeant Hendricks on this occasion reflects great
credit upon himself and the military service.

SUPPLEMENT IV^ — AMERICAN DECORATIONS, 193 9-1940

Holm, William N

R— Minneapolis, Minn.
B— Chicago, 111.

Jerome, Leo F. (6,099,599).
R — Massena, N. Y.
B— Potsdam, N. Y.

MOLLETT, George W. (6,636,854).
R — Paintsville, Ky.
B — Boons Camp, Ky.

Peyton, Jerrell (6,664,499)
R— White Plains, Ky.
B— St. Charles, Ky.

POLANSKY, Stephen (6,838,728).
R— Coaldale, Pa.
B— Coaldale, Pa.

Raiman, Sam (6,927,396).
R— Brooklyn, N. Y.
B — Phoenix, Ariz.

Cadet, Company M, 1st class, U. S. Corps of Cadets.

For heroism displayed in rescuing a comrade from drowning in the Hudson
River at West Point, New York, at about 3:00 p. m., May 28, 1939. On
seeing two cadets struggling in the water after their canoe had been capsized
in a sudden squall, Cadet Holm and another cadet, with utter disregard of
their personal safety, went to their aid in a frail canoe. Fighting their way
through the rough waves, high wind, and driving rain, Cadet Holm and
his companion, with great difficulty, succeeded in reaching the two cadets
in the water, one of whom was unconscious and bcini; supported by the other
who was completely exhausted. When his companion towed the unconscious
man to the canoe. Cadet Holm succeeded in pulling the inert body into the
boat, and with his companion and the exhausted man clinging to the sides
of the frail craft, paddled the canoe to the shore, thereby saving the life of
one of the rescued cadets. The heroism displayed by Cadet Holm on this
occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Corporal, Headquarters Company, 14th Infantry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing two enlisted men from drowning in Gatun
Lake, Panama Canal Zone, on November 25, 1939. When their small sailboat
capsized in a lake about a mile from the nearest shore. Corporal Jerome and
his two enlisted companions, who had been sailing therein, were thrown into
the rough water. Realizing that his companions were unable to swim to
shore. Corporal Jerome, with utter disregard of his personal safety, and des-
pite the fact that he, himself, was not a strong swimmer, unhesitatingly struck
out for shore to obtain help, leaving his two companions clinging to the over-
turned boat. Making his way with difficulty through the rough water,
studded with submerged tree stumps, Corporal Jerome swam to shore where
he persuaded a civilian to paddle him in a small native canoe back to the scene
of the accident. Constantly fighting to prevent their frail craft from being
capsized, or swamped in the rough water. Corporal Jerome and his companion
finally reached the two exhausted and benumbed soldiers as they were on the
point of losing their hold on the overturned sailboat, and took them into the
canoe, thereby saving their lives. The initiative and courage displayed by
Corporal Jerome on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the
military service.

Corporal, Troop F, 13th Cavalry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in preventing possible loss of human life and destruction
of government property at West Point, Kentucky, on May 5, 1939. When a
drum of gasoline being used in refueling an Army Combat Car became ignited,
blazing gasoline engulfed and set fire to the vehicle, painfully burning two
enlisted men. Realizing that the lives of spectators were greatly endangered
by the possibility of explosion of the ga.soline tanks of the burning car, Cor-
poral Mollelt, with utter disregard of his personal safety, voluntarily entered
the vehicle, quickly started the motor, and drove the car to safety out of the
pool of blazing gasoline and away from the crowd of spectators. The heroism
and presence of mind displayed by Corporal Mollett on this occasion prevented
possible loss of human life and the destruction of valuable government prop-
erty, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

Private, Company H, 11th Infantry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Lake Erie
near Camp Perry, Ohio, at about 2:00 p. m., August 24, 1939. Private
Peyton and another enlisted man swam out from the pier about 100 feet.
While returning to the pier, his companion, an inexperienced swimmer, sud-
denly became exhausted and was in grave danger of drowning. Private
Peyton, -with, utter disregard of his own safety, immediately swam to his assist-
ance and, with great difficulty and exceptional bravery succeeded in keeping
him afloat until sufficient help arrived to bring him safely to shore. The
heroism displayed by Private Peyton, on this occasion reflects great credit
upon himself and the military service.

Private, first class. Base Headquarters and 18th Air Base Squadron, Air Corps,
U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in the rescue of a child marooned in a narrow valley by
flood waters on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, at about 4:00 p. m..
May 5, 1939. When a sudden freshet in a mountain stream trapped a young
boy on a ledge in a narrow valley in the path of the rapidly rising waters.
Private First Class Polansky, with utter disregard of his personal safety,
plunged in the swollen and turbulent stream, and went to his a&sistance.
Fighting his way against the swift current which made swimming diflScult
and dangerous. Private First Class Polansky swam to the boy, helped him
into the water, and, guiding liim through the swollen stream bv holding on
to branches of partially submerged trees, assisted him to a place of safety on
the opposite bank. The heroism and resourcefulness displayed by Private
First Class Polansky on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the
military service.

Private, first class, Head(iuarters Battery, 4th Coast .\rtillery, U. S. Army.

For heniism dis|>l;iye(l in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Panama
Bay, Panama Canal Zone, on April 25, 1939. When the boom of their small
sailbiiat su<ldenly swung and struck his companion heavily on the head and
knockc(i him overboard uncdnscicius. Private First Class ihiiiiuin. with utter
disregard of Ins personal sulVty and desiiitc the fact that he had only recently
learned to .swim, dove fully clothed into the dce|) water and went to his assist-
ance. Locating the uncon.scious man at a dejith of about 10 feet. Private
First CIa.ss Rarman brougltt him to the surface, and, unable to lift the inert
and heavy man into the boat, tow(>d him, with great difllculty, about 1.50
yards to shore, thereby saving his life. The heroism and presence of mind dis-
played by Private First Class Raiman on this occasion are worthy of the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself
and the Army of United States.

SOLDIER'S MEDAL

Skiffington, John W. (6,872,139)

R — Astoria, Long Island. N. Y.
B— New York City, N. Y.

Stewart, William H. (6,659,927).
R — Lawrenceville, 111.
B — Daviess County, Ind.

Thigpen, William E

R — Jacksonville, Fla.
B— Chadburn, N. C.

Welker, John R. (6,662,667).
R — Vine Grove, Ky.
B — Hurricane, W. Va.

Williams, Doxald S. (6,082,309).
R — New Bethlehem, Pa.
B — Limestone, Pa.

Wood. Allen Jr. (6,276,414)
R— Carteret, N. J.
B— Milwaukee, Wis.

ZiENOwicz, Victor S

R— Ludlow, Vt.
B— Cavendish, Vt.

Private, Company E, 16th Infantry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing a man from drowning in the waters of New
York Bay, near Governors Island, New York, on June 13, 1939. On hearing
cries for help from a man floundering in the deep waters of New York Bay
about 150 yards from shore. Private Skiffln(jton, with utter disregard of his
personal safety, voluntarily plunged into the bay and went to his assistance.
After reaching the exhausted and drowning man. Private Skiffington fought
his way against a strong ebb tide and towed him with great difliculty to shore,
thereby saving his life. The heroism displayed by Private Skiffington on
this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Private, Troop F, 13th Cavalry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in assisting in the rescue of an enlisted man from drown-
ing in a lake near Black Broolc, New York, on August 14, 1939. When an
enlisted man, engaged in the rescue of another enlisted man, became exhausted
and called for help, Private Stewart, with utter disregard of his own safety,
immediately dove into the water and swam to the assistance of the two men.
Reaching the exhausted man, who was struggling to keep the semiconscious
man afloat, Private Stewart assisted him in bringing the drowning man to
safety, thereby saving his life. The heroism and presence of mind displayed
by Private Steirart on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the
military service.

Captain, Coast Artillery Corps, National Guard of the U. S.

For heroism displayed in the rescue of a number of enlisted men from a burning
motor truck at Dania, Florida, on July 23, 1938. When a government truck
collided with a loaded civilian gasoline truck and was saturated with gasoline,
it immediately burst into flames, trapping inside the seven enlisted men who
had been riding therein and who had been rendered unconscious by the impact
of the collision. On observing the plight of the helpless men in the wrecked
truck. Captain Thigpen, v;ith utter disregard of his personal safety, promptly
forced his way into the blazing vehicle despite the imminent danger of being
trapped therein himself, and, with the assistance of a comrade, removed the
seven unconscious men to safety, thereby saving the lives of all but one, the
driver, who died as a result of the collision. The heroism displayed by Cap-
tain Thigpen on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the mili-
tary service.

Private, first class, Headquarters Troop, 13th Cavalry, U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in a lake near
Black Brook, New York, on August 14, 1939. When an enlisted man, swim-
ming in a deep lake, was suddenly seized with cramps about 75 yards from
shore and called for help, Private First Class Welker, with utter disregard of
his own safety, immediately went to his assistance. Reaching the drowning
man as he sank beneath the waves. Private First Class Welker pulled him to
the surface, and, although exhausted by the struggles of the semiconscious man,
towed him with great difficulty for more than 60 yards toward the shore, and
finally, with the help of another enlisted man, succeeded in bringing him to
safety, thereby saving his life. The heroism displayed by Private First Class
Welker on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military
service.

First sergeant. Base Headquarters and 18th Air Base Squadron, Air Corps,
U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing a woman and child from drowning on the
Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, at about 4:00 p. m.. May 5, 1939. On
seeing a woman and a small child swept down a narrow valley by a suddenly
swollen mountain stream. First Sergeant Williams, with utter disregard of
his personal safety plunged into the deep, swirling waters, where the swift-
ness of the current made swimming impossible, and went to their assistance.
Making his way through the turbulent water by holding on to branches of
small, partially submerged trees. First Sergeant Williams, with great diffi-
culty, reached the exhausted woman and child, momentarily clinging to a
tree in midstream, and assisted them to safety. The heroism and resource-
fulness displayed by First Sergeant Williams on this occasion, reflect great
credit upon himself and the military service.

Private, Company B, 2d Engineers. U. S. Army.

For heroism displayed in rescuing an enlisted man from drowning in Lake
Erie, near Camp Perry, Ohio, at 4:00 p. m., June 19, 1939. When an enlisted
man swimming in Lake Erie was suddenly stricken with cramps and called
for help, Private Wood, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immedi-
ately dove into the deep water from a nearby pier and went to his assistance.
Freeing himself, with difficulty, from the clutches of the struggling man who
had caught and dragged him under water. Private Tloorf brought the drown-
ing man to the surface and towed him for about 75 feet to shore, thereby sav-
ing his life. The heroism displayed by Private Wood on this occasion reflects
great credit upon himself and the military service.

Cadet, Company M, 2d class, U. S. Corps of Cadets.

For heroism displayed in rescuing a comrade from drowning in the Hudson
River at West Point, New York, at about 3:00 p. m.. May 28, 1939. On seeing
two cadets struggling in the water after their canoe had been capsized in a
sudden squall, Cadet Zienoivicz and another cadet, with utter disregard of
their personal safety, went to their aid in a frail canoe. Fighting their way
through the rough waves, high wind, and driving rain, Cadet Zienowicz and
his companion, with great difficulty, succeeded in reaching the two cadets in
the water, one of whom was unconscious and being supported by the other
who was completely exhausted. Cadet Zienowicz immediately plunged into
the river, swam to their aid, and towed the unconscious man to the canoe,
then returned to the other man and assisted him to the canoe and safety,
thereby saving his life. The heroism displayed by Cadet Zienowicz on thiis
occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

271061—40-

6 SUPPLEMENT IV^ — AMERICAN DECORATIONS, 1939-1940

AWARDS OF THE DISTINGUISHED-FLYING CROSS

[Awarded for acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight subsequent to April 6,
1917, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 2, 1926]

Crane, Carl J

R — San Antonio, Tex.
B — San Antonio, Tex.

Greene, Carl F

R— New York, N. Y.
B — Kitchener, Canada

*HiNE, Virgil

R — Muskogee, Okla.
B — Siloam Springs, Ark.
Act of Congress Apr. 30, 1940.

Holloman, George V

R— Rich Square, N. C.
B— Rich Square, N. C.

Johnson, Alfred H

R— Donnybrook, N. Dak.
B — Donnybrook, N. Dak.

Seifert, Frank W ._.

R— San Diego, Calif.
B — Cincinnati, Ohio.
Act of Congress Apr. 30, 1940

Captain, Air Corps, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in originating
and developing the airplane automatic landing system which made possible
the first complete automatic airplane landing in history. The initiative dis-
played by Captain Crane in the difficult stages of the early development of
the system overcame the discouragement caused by the necessity for replanning
and redesigning as original plans and designs proved impracticable. During
the two years required for development of this system, Captain Crane, with
utter disregard of his personal safety, acted as pilot on innumerable test flights
connected therewith, and when, finally on August 23, 1937, the first experi-
mental automatic landing flights were made, he served as observer in the air-
plane used for this purpose. The engineering acumen, initiative, and resource-
fulness displayed by Captain Crane, and his courage in performing many test
flights with highly experimental equipment, were the principal factors which
made the ultimate success of the automatic landing system possible.
Major, Air Corps, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights. Despite a
history of failures and fatalities in connection with developments in high level
operations, Major Greene, with utter disregard of his personal safety, partici-
pated as technical observer and cabin pressure operator in the first successful
test flights ever to be performed in a pressure cabin airplane. By demonstrat-
ing his confidence in tlie engineering features of the airplane for which he had
been largely responsible and by his courage in sharing the risks of initial and
subsequent test flights, Major Greene aided materially in bringing to the
United States Army Air Corps the distinction of first demonstrating practical
high level airplane operation.
First lieutenant, Air Service, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight in con-
nection with the first successful experiment in refueling an airplane in the
air on June 28-29, 1923. As pilot of the refueling airplane, Lieutenant Hine
successfully made repeated contacts with another airplane in flight, and by
supplying gasoline, oil, and water to the latter, enabled it to break the then
existing endurance, speed, and distance records. The skill, courage, and
resourcefulness displayed by Lieutenant Iline on this occasion, reflected great
credit upon himself and the military .service.
Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to son, Mr. Tom Hine.
Captain, Air Corps, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights in connec-
tion with the design and development of the airplane automatic landing
system which made possible the first complete automatic airplane landing
in history. Over the i)erio(l of two years during wliicli this system was under
development. Captain Holloman, with utter disregard of his personal safety,
performed virtually all of the great amount of flight testing which was required
for the numerous items of equii)ment wliich go to make up the complete
automatic landing assembly, and, when finally on August 23, 1937, the first
experimental automatic landing flights were made, he was in the cockpit of
of the airplane used for this purpose. The engineering skill, judgment, and
resourcefulness displayed by Captain Holloman, and his courage in perform-
ing hundreds of test flights with liighly experimental equipment, contributed
largely to the ultimate successful development of the automatic landing
system.
Captain, Air Corps, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights. Despite a
history of failures and fatalities in connection with developments in high level
operations, Captain Johnson, with utter disregard of his personal safety,
served as pilot in the first successful test fiights ever to be performed in a pres-
sure cabin airi)Iane. By his courage and skill as a pilot, combined with a
sujjerior knowledge of supercluirged power plant operation, Captain Johnson
aided materially in bringing to tlie I'niteil States .\rniy .\ir Corps the dis-
tinction of first demonstrating practical high level airplane operation.
First lieutenant, Air Service, U. S. Army.

For extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight in connec-
tion with the first successful experiment in refueling an airplane in the air on
June 28-29, 1923. As the ineiiiber of the erew of the refueling airplane charged
with the manipulation of (lie host- lines. Lieutenant Sdfcrt sui'cessfully made
repeated contacts with another airi)lane in fiight. and by supplying giusoline,
oil, and water to the latter, enabled it to break the then exist iiig endurance,
speed, and distance records. The skill, courage, and resourcefulness dis-
played by Lieutenant Seifert on this occasion reflected great credit upon him-
self and the military service.

\y^

r\

^ JAN 13

e.*t.\«''

SUPPLEMENT IV AMERICAN DECORATIONS, 19 39-1940

CHANGES PERTAINING TO AWARDS PUBLISHED IN "AMERICAN
DECORATIONS, U. S. ARMY, 1862-1926"

Page

Name

Correction

4

Barkeley, David B^_ .

Company should be A instead of E

267

Eddy, Henry Leslie

CHANGES PERTAINING TO AWARDS PUBLISHED IN "SUPPLEMENT I,
AMERICAN DECORATIONS, U. S. ARMY, 1862-1926"

14

Jerzakowski, Walter

Company should be K instead of E.

o

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 9999 06354 213 6

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